shiping chicks

[dekel18042]

Hi Everyone,
I ordered my chicks in December and they shipped out Monday night (Feb. 6th). It was a long week and something must have happened with the Postal Service because they didn't arrive until yesterday morning (Friday). All 26 chicks perished in transit. This is my first experience all around. They were to be my first chicks ever and I opted for mail order because I wanted to start my flock early and I also wanted breeds local feed stores do not offer. Pretty devastating to say the least.
I'm doing my best to bounce back and I am trying another hatchery this week. It is closer to NY state and they offer heat packs in the box along with express shipping. I am told my experience was highly unusual. I was wondering if that is indeed true? I'm very concerned about these little chicks and was heartbroken over the loss of my starter flock.

Sorry about your loss. Although not common I think chicks taking longer in transit happens more than we like to think. I've had it happen to me (Chickens were "lost" for two days) and it has happened to others I know. You can minimize problems by shipping in warmer but not stifling weather. Perhaps go in with a friend or two and order as large amount as you can. Chicks seem to thrive better if a larger number is in the box. Request a heat pad or even two, if necessary then pray they don't spend extra time or get lost in transit. Order from the hatchery nearest you so less time is spent in transit
Although shipped eggs don't hatch as well as non shipped, at least your not losing live babies if you go that route and after searching I've found some local outlets for all but the rarest chicks. There is only one breed I can't find locally.
I'm not saying I will never get shipped chicks again, but it may take awhile and I will put in effect all the cautions I have stated here.

 

[OCeggs23]

Oh man, how horrible. So sorry for such a terrible outcome! I agree with everyone else - must've been a shipping issue for the babies to have been stuck in-transit so long.
I hope the hatchery made you whole. I'm sure the 2nd time will be better!

 

[jennyf]

Is there a local feed store that might be willing to tag them onto a larger order? Just had my 15 shipped with a feed store order of 100. Paid a little more but not too much. So sorry that happened to you.

 

[lazy gardener]

Most feed stores will not do so. And even if they do, usually you have to order 25 of one breed and then they simply act as the middle man and your chicks are shipped directly to your house. The last time I was able to have chicks tacked onto a feed store order (they no longer do so) it was a disaster. The store had a change in management, with the new manager not having a clue about poultry management. The chicks were not given enough heat, and one of my chicks was comatose due to poor care in the store. Add to that fact, the moment your chicks are out of the feed store door, there are absolutely no guarantees. Once the chick is in the parking lot, if it dies, the purchaser is out of luck regarding refund or replacement. Best to deal directly with the hatchery IMO.

 

[LadyVictorian]

I agree with the hatchery directly. MOST, not all but MOST have a 48 hour grantee and I think if all chicks arrive dead they promise replacements. I like going through the hatchery because I can normally get a good feel for them reading their reviews and how they handle things with their customers and if they solved problems that arise with shipping and chick deaths or misgendering.

 

[jennyf]

Most feed stores will not do so.  And even if they do, usually you have to order 25 of one breed and then they simply act as the middle man and your chicks are shipped directly to your house.  The last time I was able to have chicks tacked onto a feed store order (they no longer do so) it was a disaster.  The store had a change in management, with the new manager not having a clue about poultry management.  The chicks were not given enough heat, and one of my chicks was comatose due to poor care in the store.  Add to that fact, the moment your chicks are out of the feed store door, there are absolutely no guarantees.  Once the chick is in the parking lot, if it dies, the purchaser is out of luck regarding refund or replacement.  Best to deal directly with the hatchery IMO.

Wow, that does not sound helpful! The local feed store I was dealing with let me order 14, just added it onto their order, and called me right away when the box arrived, so I was there a few minutes later. They ordered 25 of the Cornish X I was looking for, and so the nice thing was I could scope out the larger ones and leave the smaller/quieter ones there. Plus they took the burden of any immediate shipping mortality, not me. Didn't know this was atypical--now I know to be even more appreciative!